Category: Health

For a long time visiting a health facility has been the only way one can get a test done for an STD. Advancements in technology have led to the development of home STD testing techniques. Such techniques rely on the use of small kits that one can use to test for a wide range of sexually transmitted infections such as HIV and gonorrhea.Below is an at home STD test kits review.

How to identify a reliable kit

With many companies now manufacturing this gadget, one has to be careful. Precautions are necessary is to minimize the risk of them buying counterfeits. Results from a fake device are not reliable and can end up putting one into unnecessary distress.

Whether you choose to get the kit online or from a local drug store, always buy kits from reputable companies. One can also consult a professional on the best type of kit to buy for a particular test. On the Internet today you will find some websites talking about the same with reliable information on the use and effectiveness of the kits.

Using the kits effectively

One has to understand how to correctly use a kit if they are to get the right results. Before using a kit, one should go through the instructions carefully. Home kits will usually function differently depending on how the manufacturing company designed it. Since the kits are for home testing, the whole process is often straightforward.

What type of data do the kits rely on?

When using the kit, you will be required to get samples of body fluids such as urine, blood or even a swab from the mouth. The kits come with the necessary tool to help you get this fluid. In most cases, the gadgets are not reusable, but some can test for multiple diseases at once.

How long do the tests take?

The kit design is a contributing factor in this regard. For diseases such as HIV, the test can take as little as 20 minutes. In some instances, you may be required to send samples of some of your body fluids back to the manufacturer for further analysis. The process can delay the time it will take for you to get your results by a couple of days.

Even with improved technology, home test kits are not 100% reliable. It is advisable always to get a second opinion after getting the results. STI’s are not easy to identify, and a comprehensive lab test may be the only way to determine if you have a sexually transmitted infection. In case a particular test turns out positive, go to a doctor for medication. Self-medication is ill-advised and can end up complicating treatment of disease.

In the changing world, we are living in today, it right to keep yourself aware of the sexually transmitted diseases, STDs. The best way to do this by using home test kits for gonorrhea to examine the health of some of your reproductive organs. Most STDs are bacterial infections, especially gonorrhea. People contract these diseases through sexual contact with infected partners. You can also contract gonorrhea when you come in connection with the fluid from eyes of an infected person.

What are some of the symptoms of gonorrhea?

When one contracts with gonorrhea, they start to display specific signs and symptoms. These symptoms manifest within the first ten days after being in contact with Neisseria gonorrhea, the causative agent of the STD. In some people, the symptoms may fail to show even after long periods of contracting the disease.

These symptoms include discharge of thick fluids from the vagina for women and penis for men. The patients also tend to feel pain when discharging urine. They are also likely to experience bloating as well as itching of their private parts. For infected women, they do suffer abnormal menstrual cycles with heavy bleeding.

What kind of specimen do you use for the test?

The invention of home test kits for gonorrhea has made it easy to use urine as one of the critical specimens for the test. However, one can also collect a swab from the urethra for men and cervix for women. The kits, therefore, isolate the bacterial cultures from the resulting colonies. According to research findings, use of swabs as the specimen is more efficient compared to urine tests.

How useful is a home test kit for gonorrhea?

These kits come in different types such that stores can never run out of stock. The packages come as collection and test kits. The tests are quick and accurate for it only takes one about 15 minutes to get the results. All home test kits have the certification of the USAID, WHO, FDA and some have the approval of the CDC. Therefore, the chances of getting inaccurate results are nil.

What the advantages of performing STDs tests at home?

You get to enjoy your privacy without having to get the results from a clinical officer or a doctor if you opt for a lab test in a hospital. With that, you do not have to be ashamed of telling your symptoms to any medical practitioner. It is also convenient since you can test for the STD at your own chosen time. The chances of getting accurate results are high too.

The number one cause of preventable infertility in America is Chlamydia. Infertility cases are increasing and some STDs are to blame. When left untreated, Chlamydia will make you infertile.

The Most Common STD

In the US, the most common STD is Chlamydia. The primary mode of infection is vaginal or anal sex. Oral sex can also cause Chlamydia. The most common symptom of Chlamydia is an odd discharge from the penis or vagina accompanied by pain or a burning sensation. Not everyone will get symptoms; only 50% of men and 25% of women will get symptoms.

Chlamydia can go undetected for weeks or months. In the process, it will be causing further complications. As it gets complicated, it becomes harder to treat. Therefore, the best thing is to identify it early so that to treat it early. A Chlamydia home test will facilitate the early identification of Chlamydia. This homepage will offer information on Chlamydia home testing.

HIV Pandemic is most severe in South Africa

Over 10% of South Africans have HIV. In Swaziland, Lesotho, and Botswana, HIV prevalence is over 20%. Sub-Saharan African is the region hardest hit by HIV. However, authorities have undertaken efforts to reduce HIV prevalence with some notable success.

As of 2015, over 35 million people worldwide had HIV. South Africa had over 7 million HIV cases followed by Nigeria with over 3 million cases.

To end HIV, everyone who is HIV positive should be on anti-retroviral drugs. According to studies, these drugs reduce HIV load to the point where it will be hard for an HIV positive individual to pass the virus even if the person engages in unsafe sex with an HIV negative individual.

There has also been the talk of an HIV vaccine. Presently, pre-exposure prophylaxis is a sought of HIV vaccine. This regimen helps to prevent HIV infection. One has to take a pill every day.

If you have unsafe sex and you suspect that the person you had sex with has HIV, you should visit the hospital immediately (within 24 hours) and obtain post-exposure prophylaxis. This will prevent you from getting HIV.

Washington D.C. & Gonorrhea

In the US, Washington D.C. has the highest rate of gonorrhea diagnoses. In Colorado, the rate of 15-to-28-year-old individuals with gonorrhea is twice the national average.

The Bottom-Line

Getting an STD is not the end of the world. Most STDs are treatable. Untreatable STDs are easily manageable. Many people have lived with HIV for decades. To prevent STDs, you should engage in safe sex. You should also not have multiple sex partners.

Over 50% of youths will get an STD before reaching 25 years. Teenagers as young as 12 years have STIs. More than twenty percent of high school girls have an STI.

The 7 Most Common STDs

They are syphilis, gonorrhea, genital herpes, hepatitis B, HPV, HIV, and Chlamydia. According to the most current data, over 1.7 million Americans have Chlamydia. It is the most common STD.

Most STDs are Curable but Only with Early Treatment

Like most diseases, the most effective treatment for an STD is early treatment. Delays will make the situation to deteriorate to the point where treatment will be impossible. As an STD advances, it will weaken your immunity. That will predispose you to other diseases. Some STIs can cause infertility when left untreated.

The Main Challenge Is Identifying an STD Early

That is because most of them can take months or even years to show symptoms. Therefore, your best bet is testing regularly. If you have a busy schedule, you will not have the time to undergo regularly STD hospital tests. Such tests also lack privacy since someone else will know your test result.

The best option is STD home testing because of its privacy, confidentiality, convenience, and affordability. To know more about Chlamydia home testing, you should visit http://chlamydiahometestkit.org.

You can purchase a home test kit that will only test for Chlamydia. Alternatively, you can opt for one that will test for all the major STIs.

The Bottom-Line

If you are a sexually active person, you should always have STD home test kits. With this, you can test for STDs at any time. The test will take less than a minute.